Objectives

The Master of Science program in Communication Disorders offers broad-based professional preparation in speech-language pathology within an environment which supports an active program of clinical services and research. Students are provided comprehensive exposure to clinical approaches in communication disorders and to the scientific foundations from which clinical approaches are derived. Practical experience is available in a variety of on- and off-campus clinical, educational, and medical settings.

The graduate program in Communication Disorders is accredited in speech-language pathology by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Facilities

The principal sites for the academic, clinical, and research activities of the Communication Disorders program are the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders, adjacent to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Callier-Richardson on the University's main campus. These facilities, and others throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, provide the educational, clinical, research, and medical environments essential for an interdisciplinary program in Communication Disorders.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science program requires a minimum of 48 semester hours. Students completing the master's degree meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Master of Science in Communication Disorders

48 hours minimum

Required Courses

Students entering the master's program with a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology are required to take the following courses:

COMD 7378 Assessment and Intervention of Language Impairments in Preschool and School-Age Children

Elective Courses

Students must also complete approved elective courses and practicum/internship totaling 48 credit hours. In addition to the required courses listed above, students must complete a minimum of three additional courses in the areas of language disorders in children and language disorders in adults. Two courses must be completed in one area and one course in the other. Students enroll in Practicum (HCS 7380) or Internship (COMD 6630) each semester in order to earn the necessary clock hours for certification and licensure. In general, a maximum of 9 semester hours of Practicum/Internship may be counted toward the minimum 48 semester hours required for the degree. Exceptions to the above requirements must be approved by the program head.

Combined Master/Doctoral Study

Students who wish to earn a clinical master's degree while pursuing doctoral study may apply for combined master's/doctoral study. Students approved to enroll in both master's and doctoral courses pursue an individualized plan of study leading to both degrees.

Comprehensive Examination

All students seeking the master's degree in Communication Disorders must pass a written comprehensive examination. A thesis is optional.

Out-Of-Field Students

Students entering the program who lack undergraduate preparation in speech-language pathology or audiology are required to take a specified 15 semester hours of preparatory courses. These courses may be taken at UT Dallas in conjunction with graduate coursework or may be taken at another university.